Practice Session, 11.16.2025

 On weekends we often take the dogs to a SniffSpot for some off leash time, and I thought I'd try to add a bit of tracking practice to our visit today. Quinn and I were at an all-day scentwork clinic on Saturday (11/15) so he was a little tired and I didn't want to completely overwhelm him. I was hoping a somewhat familiar location would be helpful for him.

This SniffSpot is 10 acres and fully fenced. It is mostly open meadow with some trees, and the homeowner has mowed paths for walking with your dog. 

On the map, you may notice three structures: the largest is a house. The one inside the fenceline is a run-in shed. The small one to the right of the house is a chicken coop. During Track 1 (when we were facing the coop), the homeowner came out to feed their chickens and a few managed to escape. You may notice Quinn watching this with QUITE a bit of interest! (You can hear the homeowner yelling at the chickens in the background if your sound is up.)

After track 1, I let the dogs play off leash while scouting a good location for a second track.  I found a spot that seemed plausible (and was not facing toward the chickens) and we tried again, with the same length/food drop pattern.

Weather/Conditions:

• Temperature: 68° F
• Wind: WNW 5 MPH
• Humidity: 46%
• Overall: Cloudy and light breeze, got windier as time went by. Fire weather warning in effect.

 Track 1: Laid 11:16 AM, Run: 11:25 AM

 

(Husband and 6 month old puppy acting as camera crew; thought they might be distracting but Quinn didn't pay much attention to them once he got to the start flag.)

 Three good things:

1. I thought Quinn started well with good focus.
2. Although the chicken incident was distracting, he regained focus pretty quickly and went back to work.
3. Quick to down at article (still needed a cue, but minimal)
4. Honorable mention: Handler kept mouth shut during Chicken Incident. 

Three things to improve:

• Choose better location. (Distractions good practice but maybe not this early in the game!)
• More focus would still be helpful. 
• Continue working on down at article with no cue. 

Goal for next track: Repeat distance/augmentation pattern, support with line handling as he builds focus and confidence. 

Track 2: Laid 11:38 AM, Run 11:49 AM 

 

Three good things:

1. MUCH more focused - good dog!
2. Pulling forward on the track (quite keen)
3. Drank readily when water offered at end of track.

Three things to improve:

1. Handler patience (wait till he is really tracking to move feet)
2. Quinn's confidence (time + practice + handler support)
3. Overall smoothness of line handling/water offering/etc. 

Goal for next track: He seems to have the "food every step" idea down pretty well. I am not sure what exactly we should try next but perhaps slightly less food across the same distance?